Sunday, December 29, 2013

As the sun sets, the sky radiates beautiful red and orange rays. We always wanted our day to end up like that. But before witnessing such amazing phenomena, one must experience the harsh realities of the day - the searing heat of the sun, air pollution, and other distractions that would hamper one's activities. In the end, what matters most is how you overcome all of it. I'd still call it a beautiful day.

That is how I'd like to describe my year 2013. It was indeed the longest race I've experienced so far.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

The sunrise and the sharkie. Aboard PAL809. Turning final for ILS RWY 05 approach.

Happy holidays everyone!

How did you spend your Christmas? Well, I went home last December 21 because we were still allowed to have a break since we were not part of the shift complement yet, but once we have our permanent facility deployment, we are not allowed to file a leave from December 15 'til January 5. But the most challenging part of going home this holiday season was beating the holiday rush.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Is Florida the ultimate family holiday destination? According to the millions of visitors who flock to this sun-soaked corner of the States every year, the answer is a resounding 'Yes'! So what makes Florida holidays so special - and why is it the be-all and end-all of family holidays?

Friday, December 13, 2013

If you are an avid reader of this blog, you will notice that I seldom publish post about my travel stories. For the sake of updating this blog, I include the progress of my new career as an air traffic controller. Well, it is still part of my journey, the adventure of my life.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Controlling air traffic at a particular facility (whether aerodrome, approach, or area control), is not a piece of cake. Before giving clearances, the ATC must be knowledgable about the local traffic procedures to ensure the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic, the different aircraft performances, and a whole lot more. Pilots, on the other hand, rely on the voice of an air traffic controller before executing such actions.

But I've always wondered what it feels like to be inside the cockpit of an aircraft.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Visayas has been on the news since October. First, the magnitude 7.2 magnitude quake that hit the Central Visayas region which had inflicted damage to properties and lives, including century-old churches of Bohol and Cebu. Just two weeks ago, super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) had wreaked unimaginable havoc to the Visayas Region; Easter Visayas was worst hit by the super typhoon. With winds reaching up to 315 kph, everything was diminished into pieces. Yolanda had claimed so much lives and properties and it was a hard lesson to all of us.

Here's a quick round-up of my epic Visayas trip last year, way before the strong Central Visayas quake and Yolanda.

While flying in an airplane to get to a destination can save you on time, taking a road trip is a viable option for those who have a bit of extra time to spend. Better yet, the road will provide you with certain advantages that a flight will never give you. Here are some reasons why you should road trip instead of flying.

Skip The Airport Process - All in all, the process of getting a flight can be a terrible experience. First of all, you have to pay a load of money way in advance for a ticket. But what if you want to simply go on a spur of the moment adventure this weekend? Then you’re going to have to pay even more just to go. A road trip doesn’t require all that planning and you can live as spontaneously as you’d like. Furthermore, going through security and checking your bags is a stressful pain at the best of times, especially if they get lost. But when you hop in your car and go, you don’t have to worry about any of that. Save yourself money and headaches, with road trips instead of airplanes. And if you are in any doubt that airports are stressful, a 2011 report called them ‘more stressful than moving house’.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

It's been two and a half weeks since Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) had wreaked unimaginable havoc in the Visayas region. The disaster had claimed thousands of lives, millions worth of properties and livelihood, and had displaced more than four million people. We have witnessed how cities and towns fell and how our fellowmen and even several countries around the world have extended their help in order to rebuild and claim what was lost during the disaster.We had already experienced this kind of adversary in the past, and I am confident that we'll rise again.

Always remember that you are a spectacular gift to the world. After the storm comes a rainbow - a reminder that no matter how bitter and harsh life is, better days follow.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Every winter, about 15 percent of Americans suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), according to CNN. Why have your family be susceptible to winter blues from the same old stay at home this Christmas Break when you can savor the festive sights and sounds of somewhere new? Whether you're hoping to feel sand between your toes or snow crunch beneath your boots, here's five terrific destinations that are bound to make sure your entire family has a happy holiday:

Park City, Utah — For families seeking a White Christmas, Park City has an annual December snowfall of 44 inches, according to Utah.com. Only about a half hour from Salt Lake International Airport, Park City features three renowned mountain resorts and more than 100 bars and restaurants. In addition to mini snowmobiles for children between the ages of 5 and 12, other kid-friendly activities include hot air balloon rides, skiing, snowboarding and lift-served inner tubing hills

Photo by Keith L Kendrick via Flickr

San Diego, California — If you’re hoping to soak up a little more sun during your break, there’s plenty of room to do that with the more than 70 miles of beaches in this Southern California spot. In addition to whale watching tours and several family attractions in San Diego, Balboa Park offers 1,200 acres that include 15 major museums, cultivated gardens and the world famous San Diego Zoo. The park features a carousel adjacent to the zoo and the half-mile Balboa Park Miniature Railroad trip takes families through 4 acres of the park in about 3 minutes.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Almost everyday, we get the chance to witness Plaridel's beautiful sunset. It so happened that the facility is facing west and the weather's always fine. Here are some of my sunset photos in Plaridel, Bulacan, all of which were taken using my iPhone. The image quality's really good and I only did a few tweaks through Afterlight (a photo app).

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Young people of the previous generations had always craved for an adventure - to explore the unknown and discover new realms beyond the seemingly endless horizon. And whenever they go back to their respective homes, they were eager to share their experiences, good or bad. As modern day sets in, there are a number of peope who still opt to visit various places but it seemed, were cut from the experience of culture, and from the truest meaning of traveling and exploring. There were many factors that were held up to blame: modern lifestyle, urban living, computers and gadgets, and the Internet. But, modernity shouldn't be solely blamed for it had contributed greatly of informing others about traveling through blogs, websites, and social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. What lacks people these days to discover the world is the drive and passion of experiencing life beyond their comfort zones. Our comfort zones. I guess we have all lived in mediocrity for a long time.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

With a total land area of 244,000 hectares, Davao City has so much to offer - from the picturesque beaches of Samal Island to the cool climate of mountain resorts located at the foot of Mount Apo, the country's highest peak. And yes, you, visitor of this mighty city shouldn't miss out these five things uniquely Davao, because these will surely make your visit in the city a memorable one.

It's been a while since the last time we visited Plaridel Airport here in Bulacan. Unlike our previous visit, we are required to stay longer... at least three weeks (of course, we are still allowed to go home during our breaks, that is, if you're willing to sacrifice your time and EFFORT in commuting back to the metro, hehe).

The past few days were really tough. The whole country mourned after the gruesome images of of the Yolanda aftermath circulated the world wide web. It was tagged as one of the most powerful storm system generated this year. It had wreaked unimaginable havoc starting from the eastern Visayas region up to the northern Palawan region, where tens of thousands were believed dead and hundreds of thousands homeless in this ordeal. Not to mention that the primary road networks to the affected areas are impassable, making the delivery of the relief goods more difficult than it was anticipated.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

A stag party, like the wedding that follows, needs to be an event that forges life-long memories, as well as strengthening friendships. Today there are plenty of options for people who want to host a particularly special party. Here is a look at just some of the top destinations.

If you are organizing a stag party then there is probably a lot on your plate, with expectations running sky-high and pressures mounting as the big day approaches.

If you want to avoid a quiet night at the local pub, then taking a full stag weekend away to a different part of the country or the world is fun and affordable thanks to sites like Red7 Leisure.

This overview of a few top destinations for your next stag weekend will keep the groom and the guests happy, all of which can be found via Red7 Leisure.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Eating noodles (or let me just write 'ramen', for fancy writing purpose) for lunch or dinner is not really my thing because the only people who do that are those who are sick and require urgent TLC - no, not the tomato-lettuce-catsup, but Tender-Loving-Care. Lol.

My good old friend (yes, emphasis on OLD) invited me on his post birthday celebration at a nearby ramen house in Glorietta 5. Quite a bit excited though because I am tired of eating the same food all over again whenever I'm home.

Monday, October 28, 2013

If you think you have already seen the whole scenario of the radar out last week, well... think again. The media have only reported the scenes from the airport terminals where thousands of passengers got stranded due to delayed and cancelled flights brought about by the radar outage. What I am going to share is my experience at the control tower.

When I was still an ATC Trainee, we were taught on how to handle unusual air traffic situations. During our dry runs in Approach and Aerodrome Control, our usual scenarios were always out-of-this-world - an aircraft reported heavy tailwind during the approach and executed a missed approach procedure, quasi-emergency due to the departing Kalayaan 1 (Presidential flight), and an aircraft over Manila declares an emergency. All of these happen in one air traffic situation. I deemed this situation to be absurd and it will never, ever, happen in real life. Because if it does, you are the luckiest person in the whole world. The gods must be damn crazy!

The outage last week made me realize that I was wrong. In air traffic, always expect the unexpected.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Mexico is renowned for its breathtaking beautiful beaches, buzzing nightlife and glorious hot sunshine, it’s often a honeymooner’s choice or seen as an adult focused place but that’s certainly not always the case. Yes, there are many upmarket hotels and spas perfect for adults but there are also many family friendly hotel complexes with all-inclusive options as well as many child-safe beaches and a wealth of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Cheap family holidays to Mexico are more accessible than you may think; take a look at some of the great deals online from tour operators like Thomas Cook.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

If you are flying in and out of Manila this week, expect intermittent flight delays due to the unservicable radar of Manila Approach. The radar is currently under maintenance and will last for about a week. But, before you complain about this inconvenience, let me explain how the ATCs, particularly assigned at Manila Approach, handle this kind of situation.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Work has been awesome so far. I have learned a lot from my recent facility rotations in Area Control Center and Radar Approach. But, I still believe that "all-work-no-play" is dangerous to one's health; sometimes we have to tweak our work schedule in order to play. Haha! A week ago, Brenna invited me to try this newly opened restaurant in Clark. Since it is my day-off and I miss road trips, I immediately accepted her invite. Woot woot!

Little did I know that this restaurant that we were about to try was no ordinary one.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Visiting another country doesn't always mean you have to feel like a visitor. Thanks to sites like Airbnb and CouchSurfing, international homestays are helping travelers connect with the culture by blending in and living like a local.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

The sun has finally risen and the fine weather looked promising. Nella, who works as one of the caretakers of Loboc Church, left her humble abode earlier than the usual. She arrived at the church around seven thirty in the morning and prepared for work, even if it's a holiday. She went outside, looked up, and admired its beauty. The exterior is made up of ornated corals and stones and had been standing there for centuries. For some, Loboc Church is their place of worship but for Nella, she already considered it as her second home. She had grown fond of it and decided to spend the rest of her life within the vicinity of the church. While pulling some weeds, the ground shook violently. Instinctively, she ran for cover but lost her balance and fell.

And right before her eyes, the once majestic Loboc Church was reduced into a pile of rubble in just a matter of minutes.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

As anyone who has visited the Philippines will know there are a number of amazing SCUBA diving sites including the islands of Cabilao and Boracay. Once you have explored them it’s likely you will be thirsty for some more diving adventures, so where in the world might your travel adventures take you? Most enthusiasts will agree that there are few dive destinations in the world as spectacular as Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt. Here’s why.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Do you ever stop and think, “Am I in a relationship with my phone?” Okay, not literally. But if you look around you, you’ll see more and more people engrossed in the little black boxes in their hands. At the mall, at a restaurant, at a bar, even at the movies - you can see people tapping away. Eventhough it could cost you a laptop such as iPhone 5 and BlackBerry Z10 price.And what are they doing? Updating Facebook, IM’ing with friends, and looking stuff up.

For many people, the relationship they have with their smartphone is kind of like one they would have with a significant other. They go out and appear absorbed by these gadgets’ every need and digital shout (beep!). Some people even sleep with their smartphone in their beds!

While things like internet addiction is becoming more and more recognized, you have to admit that smartphones can be just as addictive. This is especially true since the phone can allow you to access all sorts of addictive digital media, like social networking sites, unlimited television programs, and (dare I say it?) porn. And soon you find yourself missing out on real-life social interactions just to play with your phone. It can become so time-consuming that it can feel like a romantic relationship at times.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

A few weeks ago, I was craving for Aling Foping's famous halo-halo, and I blame my mom for it because she posted a photo of her, eating the famous Halo-halo on Instagram. Jeez. So I called her up and demanded to treat me at Aling Foping's Halo-halo when I get home. Spoiled brat lang? Hahaha. But kidding aside, I have reasons to be like that because their halo-halo is to die for!

Just this afternoon, I had the chance to revisit Aling Foping's at Matina Town Square (or as Davaoeños fondly call it, MTS) and tried their Durian halo-halo.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Eat like a king at Vikings! Photo from Vikings SM Lanang Facebook Page

Eating is one of my ways to relieve myself from accumulated stress, aside from writing and listening to my favorite songs. Sometimes you would find me eating almost every hour. And whenever I go outside my house, I always make sure that I'd try all restaurants in my city. My palate is adventurous and I thank myself for being like that.

Yesterday, I had the most sinful gastronomic adventure to date. I ate lunch like a King at Vikings!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

I created this travel blog last June 2011 simply because I wanted to document my travels. I never thought that I'd get serious into blogging though. In November 2011, my blog was one of the finalist for the Philippine Blog Awards under the category of Best Travel Blog. Even though I did not bring home the bacon, it was the best moment of my blogging life during that time. My blog was barely five months old and it was such an honor to be part of that prestigious blogging event.

A few days ago, I received an email from Mindanao Blog Awards. And yes, it's official: The Geeks Travels is once again a finalist for the Mindanao Blog Awards - Best Travel Blog category. Yey!

Friday, September 27, 2013

The city of Valencia is located on the Mediterranean coast, in the east of Spain. This historical city has many cultural attractions and several beaches.

Explore the City of Arts and Sciences.

The recently built City of Arts and Sciences is one of the city's main attractions. This set of white buildings has an aquarium, an event hall, an IMAX and several museums, including the Principe Felipe Science Museum which has several interactive galleries and a hall with the skeleton of a whale.

The Oceanografic is a large aquarium where visitors will be able to see many sea creatures. There are more than 45,000 fish and visitors will be able to interact with belugas, rays and sea lions. The large white aquarium building has nine underwater towers, and each tower has fish from one habitat. Near the surface there is a mangrove area where there are 80 species of plants.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

There is one common question that is said to stump New Yorkers more than any others: What should I do in New York City?

In recent years, New York City has set new visitation records with an increase of 52 percent since 2006, reports NYC & Company. Hotels, cultural institutions, restaurants, Broadway and all types of entertainment venues have experienced exponential growth.

There are seemingly an endless amount of things to see and do in the Big Apple, but for visitors who have just one day, there are certain experiences that really should not be missed.

Central Park

Locals enjoy taking a break from the concrete jungle in Central Park. It provides a scenic oasis with numerous picturesque settings that include weeping willows, cascading falls and lush, grassy banks. This is a unique experience that provides the opportunity for outstanding people-watching and the chance to experience the great outdoors right in the middle of one of the world's biggest cities.

You might even catch a glimpse of a celebrity during their afternoon stroll or jog through the park.

Monday, September 23, 2013

On our way to Babu Santa Resort in Talikud Island, we spotted this group who were obviously enjoying their parasailing activity. I immediately changed my lens (from kit lens to telephoto lens) and took some snapshots. It was pretty evident that they were enjoying it because we could hear their screams even if they were a hundred meters away from us!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

As of this writing, the Zamboanga crisis is already on its ninth day. I was at the Manila Area Control Center, delivering ATC clearances to Manila Approach when I heard my seniors talking about the security situation of the city. At around 7:40 in the morning, they informed us not to give clearances to all Zamboanga bound flights; we still have to verify the situation of Zamboanga through Mactan Control. Ten minutes before nine, we were informed that all commercial flights to Zamboanga were suspended and only the military flights were allowed to fly in and out of Zamboanga. And at that very moment, I realized that the situation is worse than I have imagined.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Everyone knows that Florida is full of world-class theme parks, but you might be missing out on some equally fantastic wildlife and nature parks. If you're jetting off to the sunshine state this season, take a look at this pick of the four best parks in Florida.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

While reading some posts of this blog, I came across with some of my field trip photos back in college. I couldn't help but smile. Awwww.

For those who are still unaware about my "awesome" life, I am a BS Biology graduate and I took Ecology as my major but took a few elective subjects from the field of Cell and Molecular Bio. One of the mandatory things that a Bio major should comply is to conduct field works, especially in selected Ecology subjects. Despite the fact that my current work is not related to my college degree (Air Traffic Service and Biology? How's that!), I still did not regret of spending my four years in college just to study all aspects of life - from Virology to the entire Biosphere. Biology had indeed brought me to different places in Mindanao. It was one of the best days of my life.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

I went home at around 12 midnight. Call time for the Banana Beach affair was 7AM. Because I was still in hyper mode and was still busy on uploading photos on Facebook (and that includes random video hopping on You___, yep you've guessed it right, YouTube!), I slept at almost four in the morning. I set the alarm at 6:00 AM. The next thing I knew, it was already 6:52 AM.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Madrid is a city located in the center of Spain. This large city has many museums, large parks and streets filled with tapas bars, traditional restaurants and shops. Here is a short guide to Madrid, which receives millions of visitors who want to enjoy a trip to a new city.

August is definitely the month of celebration and thanksgiving. Aside from turning a year older every first day of August, my beloved hometown, Davao City, celebrates the famous Kadayawan Festival every third week of the month.

I was really happy that after my graduation, I'd be flying home to Davao to experience this year's Kadayawan Festival!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Most travelers use Siem Reap as a stopping off point en route to the splendors of the Angkor Wat temple complex to the north of the city. However, visitors who decide to spend some of their time exploring the beauties and history of 1,000-year-old Siem Reap, as well as visiting Angkor Wat, will find plenty to do and are sure to gain a greater understanding of the ancient Khmer culture.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

For intrepid travellers wanting a mesmerizing glimpse of Thailand's natural wonders, Krabi is the place to go! There's plenty of amazing experiences to take in over several days, from hot springs and elephant treks, to rock climbing, kayaking, and much more.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Wisconsin Dells might not ring any bells when it comes to popular tourist destinations, but it claims domination of waterparks in the U.S. with more than 20 parks and resorts. The entire area is incredibly family-friendly, but features enough activities for adults to make lasting memories.

One of the benefits of so many waterparks and other attractions is that you can find a deal for any activity for any length of time. Many Wisconsin Dells hotel deals include waterparks and resorts as part of the package, so you don't have to worry about purchasing tickets separately. Thoroughly research a location as part of your pre-planning for family vacations. This is prime time to discover the deals, specials and package types available to you.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Every third week of August, Davao City becomes more vibrant and more colorful. The main streets are decorated with colorful buntings and fruit stands sprout like mushrooms as they sell Davao-grown fruits such as the famous Durian, Mangosteen, and succulent Pomelos sell at rock bottom prices. Kadayawan Festival, dubbed as the King of Festivals, is just around the corner and I cannot wait myself to experience it again this year!

Friday, August 2, 2013

"Don't judge my brother, he is not a book." There goes the famous line of Melanie Marquez. It had gained fame because (1) it's funny, and (2) it's ridiculously funny. However, that particular quote makes sense at some point. Let me rephrase her quote by modifying some words: "Don't judge a place if you haven't been there." For the past years, I have met people from different provinces in the Philippines - Metro Manila, Baguio, Legazpi, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, and etc. And whenever I inform them that I am from Davao, they'd often tell me all those out-of-this-world claims based from premature judgments. Here are the seven misconceptions about Davao City.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

“The pale stars were sliding into their places. The whispering of the leaves was almost hushed. All about them it was still and shadowy and sweet. It was that wonderful moment when, for lack of a visible horizon, the not yet darkened world seems infinitely greater—a moment when anything can happen, anything be believed in.”

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

With all the horror stories out there about hotels filled with bed bugs, hot tubs teeming with germs and restaurant meals causing food-borne illnesses, what's a germaphobe who wants to go on holiday to do? If you're hyper-vigilant about germs, you may think it's impossible to take a trip and relax without worrying about catching an odd parasite or dealing with pests. While no plan works 100 percent of the time, there are things you can do to minimize your risks.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

We're almost done with our first OJT rotation and for our fifth facility, our group went all the way to Plaridel Airport in Bulacan. I still can't believe that we controlled LIVE air traffic and talked to REAL pilots through radio. I was really looking forward for this week to come. According to the previous groups, their Plaridel Tower experience was one-of-a-kind and exciting.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Are you looking for a great place to stay here in Davao? Try The Royale House Travel Inn and Suites! It is good for travelers who are budget-conscious yet want to have hotel-like comfort and service.

The Royale House is located at C.M Recto Avenue which is actually at the center of the city. Here, several places are accessible for tourists and travelers. It’s just a stone’s throw from San Pedro Church, Aldevinco Shopping center and even major banks if you have a few monetary appointments to make.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Once upon a time, an adventurous lad made a promise to create a signature jump shot whenever he travels to new places. It all started with just one jump shot, and then followed by another photo... and the rest is history.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Back in our preschool days, our teachers would always ask us to fill out this statement: When I grow up, I want to be a/an ________. Most kids would have these answers: a doctor, a police, a firefighter, a nurse, a lawyer, a pilot, an engineer, or a scientist. And I bet no kid in the world would have this answer: to be an air traffic controller.

Most people think that the job of an air traffic controller is to just wave the neon 'fan' to guide the plane to its designated parking bay. No, that's not the job of an ATC. There is more when you enter the realm of air traffic.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Lovers of travel made the industry sing to the tune of $564 billion in 2011, according to USTravel.org. Although most of us enjoy the occasional foray to visit grandma or lay around on the beach, some of us crave more. What if you could make money traveling instead of being another part of a spendy statistic? You could experience the highs and lows that the world has to offer with the spirit of adventure blowing your sails onward. Or, you could pursue a career in one of these fields.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The calendar shows it is time for adventure. From ocean to ocean and border to border, the United States offers rigorous hiking trails, spectacular natural environments and spine tingling off-roading experiences.

You’re looking for an adventure that challenges you to push your limits and recharge your battery at the same time. For outdoor enthusiasts who want to avoid the crowds and explore new terrain, off-roading is the perfect escape route.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Before 2011 ended, I decided to fly out of Davao to Cebu to meet up with my travel blogger friends; it was my first time to see them in person (lol). Actually, seeing them beyond the screen of my laptop was surreal. Upon arrival, we headed straight to the north bus terminal and off we went to the pristine beaches of Cebu.